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GERMANY booked their place in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in dramatic fashion after a stoppage-time 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire in front of 43,000 spectators at Toronto Stadium, finally ending a 12-year wait to reach the tournament’s latter rounds.
The victory marks Germany’s first qualification for the knockout phase since their 2014 triumph, achieved through a late double from substitute Deniz Undav, who transformed the match after coming off the bench in the second half.
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) had earlier taken the lead against the run of play when Franck Kessie struck in the 30th minute, finishing off strong work involving teenage forward Yan Diomande, despite sustained German pressure in the opening half.
Germany, however, turned the match after the interval with relentless attacking pressure, eventually breaking through in the 68th minute when Undav volleyed home a cross just eight minutes after entering the field.
According to AFP, his defining contribution came deep into stoppage time when he struck again in the 94th minute, sending the German supporters into jubilant celebration and securing top spot in Group E with six points.
Jonathan Tah praised the squad’s resilience and mentality after the comeback.
"Winning mentality, team spirit -- we had exactly what you need to be successful in a tournament," he said.
"We never gave up, we kept going no matter what. The guys coming off the bench brought energy. Deniz deserves a special mention, outstanding."
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who has faced mounting pressure to deliver a strong group-stage performance, also lauded Undav’s impact and suggested the forward could be in contention to start the next match against Ecuador.
"That was great for him. You can't get more decisive than that," Nagelsmann told MagentaTV.
Earlier in the day, the Netherlands delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the tournament, sweeping aside Sweden 5-1 to strengthen their position at the top of Group F.
The result came as a reversal of Sweden’s earlier 5-1 victory over Tunisia, with coach Ronald Koeman describing his side as “incredibly dangerous” following a devastating display of attacking football.
The Dutch struck early through Brian Brobbey, who scored twice within the opening 17 minutes before Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo took centre stage after the break with a rapid-fire brace inside the first nine minutes of the second half.
Anthony Elanga’s strike proved only a consolation for Sweden, before Crysencio Summerville completed the rout with a fifth goal in the 89th minute.
Koeman said the manner of the victory demonstrated the team’s attacking threat and transitional speed.
"If you look further at the goals we scored, that will cause fear among opponents," he said.
"The way those goals came about, in transition with a lot of pace and a lot of quality, we can be incredibly dangerous."
Sweden’s heavy defeat marked a historic low, equalling their heaviest concession at a World Cup since the 1958 final loss to Brazil, when they were beaten 5-2.
The Netherlands now sit on four points with a game in hand, awaiting the outcome of Japan’s meeting with Tunisia, and are strongly positioned to advance to the expanded 48-team knockout phase. - June 21, 2026
